It’s a shame the State of the Union address did not go on as planned but President Trump is far from ready to capitulate on border wall funding. Americans will eventually see Speaker Pelosi for the unbalanced partisan hack that she is -- and politics as usual may finally be put to rest.

Next to the inability to fund the border wall, Republican leaders’ silence is the single most disappointing aspect of the struggle to control illegal immigration. Appearances mean things -- if McConnell and McCarthy are to join the fray it’s time to fish or cut bait. Fence-sitters lose every time.

Democrats’ intractable position on border wall funding will invariably force President Trump’s hand -- and that’s something Trump relishes. Democrats could be reasonable and accept the president’s compromise offer…or more likely end up with a wall on the border and nothing for their side.

President Trump’s new wall slogan may or may not sway the issue in his favor but he’s got to keep Republicans unified and in a fighting spirit on the border wall. Squandering this golden opportunity might not just mean the downfall of the GOP -- it could be the end of America, too.

The old saying goes that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but where Democrats are concerned a handsome countenance goes much farther than that. When trying to standout to the grossly uniformed and overly superficial Democrat base it pays to be a looker -- just ask Juan Williams.

Try as they might, Democrats can’t delay everything forever, especially if Republicans grow a spine and make them participate in the process -- or they’ll just be steamrolled. Democrats play for keeps…it’s about time Republican leaders acknowledged it and countered fire with fire.

There’s definitely a chance this government shutdown goes on so long people forget how or why it started and all that’s left are Trump and Democrat leaders squabbling over who’s at fault. Ultimately the American people will decide between them -- and time is on Trump’s side.

Donald Trump was elected president precisely because he understood what the people wanted -- and promised to give it to them. If this makes him a “populist,” it’s a mantle he’ll wear proudly. Democrats pledge free stuff, Trump offers prosperity and security. What will Americans choose in 2020?

The charge of not being a “team player” is what the Republican establishment uses to justify doing political damage to a conservative in the hope that the conservative will either be brought to heel, or, better yet, defeated in the next election.

If you only saw the political elites you might think the State of our Union really isn’t strong. Under current leadership it’s okay to cancel national assemblies for pathetic personal vendettas and cheap political points, but the American people aren’t fools -- they want border security.

No amount of excuses RINOs like John Kasich or liberal Democrats make will change the facts on the border -- or anything else of consequence in today’s America. Republican and conservative policies work if they’re tried, something not possible with the DC swamp mentality.

The current impasse between congressional Democrats and President Trump was years in the making, primarily because GOP leaders of the recent past didn’t act to resolve it when they had the chance. If Trump gives in now we should only expect the cycle to repeat over and over again.

Democrat leaders are increasingly being held hostage by the open borders/anti-law enforcement kook fringe of their party. Unlike with President Trump’s position on the government shutdown, there are no good political options for them. The longer it draws out, the more they stand to lose.

Democrats don’t care about law enforcement because if it’s done properly, they’d have no reason for being. Whether it’s enacting unnecessary gun purchasing restrictions or refusing to vote to secure the border, Democrats’ platform tramples on what many Americans hold sacred.

“Chucky” Schumer will continue using President Trump’s temperament as an excuse not to act on a host of things, including the border wall, national security and the federal budget. Even if Trump threw a “temper tantrum” it was entirely justified. Maybe us citizens should follow his lead.

As amply demonstrated by Democrat leaders on Tuesday night they can’t even effectively convey their side of the argument, much less win on the merits. Regardless of how people feel about Trump they should separate fact from fiction on the border wall and the government shutdown.

As long as there’s a Democrat pretty face and an American establishment media to exploit it, expect more fawning and groveling over someone like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Style over substance or practicality is the way of the left -- the crazier the idea, the more they love it.

Both sides blame the other for perpetuating the government shutdown. Democrats continue relying on the ignorance of voters to make their arguments stick, a situation where eventually good common sense should prevail. Trump can take matters into his own hands…should he?

Joining with the enemy makes you a traitor and earns nothing but derision from decent people. If you don’t believe it ask (former) Senators Flake and Corker how they’re feeling these days. Mitt Romney will survive his latest brush with political death -- but he shouldn’t go tempting fate any longer.

Don’t expect Americans to greet “new” Speaker Nancy Pelosi with smiles and embraces. Pelosi hasn’t changed from a decade ago when she was one of the most despised politicians in the country. Lovers of limited government should see her as a worthy antagonist -- and then oppose everything she does.